Foundation funds Serval Rescue

In early 2026 devastating wildfires in South Africa forced the emergency evacuation of nearly all of the rescued wild cats resident at the Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary. Among them were four servals – Balozi, Mahaba, Lekanya (below) and Kamogelo, originally rescued from the illegal pet trade in Belgium before The Born Free Foundation relocated them to Panthera Africa. Our Foundation was able to step in with an emergency grant of £1000.00 to help relocate the four cats to a place of safety.

Also evacuated was Lancelot, a male lion who had endured a lifetime of suffering before finding peace in Born Free’s Rescue Section at Panthera Africa.

Thanks to rapid intervention, all of these animals were carefully relocated to temporary homes, where they could be kept safely away from the fires under the care of experienced and dedicated teams. Lancelot is being cared for at Born Free’s sanctuary at Shamwari, where he is slowly beginning to settle under the dedicated and patient care of the team. After arriving somewhere new, he is taking things at his own pace – spending much of his time hidden in places where he feels safest but gradually showing signs of growing confidence. Encouragingly, he is eating well, and each small step he takes is a sign of the trust he is beginning to build.

The four servals are also safe and receiving excellent care. Balozi and Mahaba are currently at Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where they are quietly gaining confidence, while Lekanya and Kamogelo are being cared for at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, where they are already showing curiosity and beginning to explore Our contribution to their rescue will ensure that each of these animals is given the time, space, and expert care they need, not just to recover, but to live out their lives in safety and dignity.

Did you know…….

• Servals have the largest ears of any cat which act like radar dishes to pinpoint hidden rodents or birds moving underground or through thick brush.
• They have the longest legs relative to their body size among any wild cat. This gives them a unique advantage allowing them to jump straight up to about 10’ into the air and leap distances of over 13’!
• They are excellent swimmers and their coats are water-repellent, helping them to shake off water easily. They often lie in shallow water to hide from predators and to stalk prey.
• Serval kittens have baby teeth, and can’t hunt for themselves until they reach approximately 6 months old when they develop their permanent canine teeth.